Xikia is made of jute rope. It is woven in a way to hold objects in it. It is hung from the ceiling of the kitchen or fireplace to store items like pumpkins, bottle gourd shells and also bamboo tube (chunga). Bottle gourd shells and chunga are very useful to preserve food items like dried fish, dried chilies, and salt inside them. This tradition of storing food items in xikia hanging from ceiling protects the food from rotting as the warmth of the fire helps in keeping insects and bacteria away. It also helps in keeping away rodents and ants.